Telegram splitting transmission method for bidirectional networks

ABSTRACT

A data transmitter is provided, having: a generator for generating transmission data packets, configured to split a first data packet into at least three transmission data packets, each of the transmission packets being shorter than the first data packet, the generator being configured to channel-encode the at least three transmission packets such that only a portion thereof is required for decoding the first data packet; a transmission element for transmitting data packets, configured to transmit the at least three transmission packets in a frequency channel via a communications channel with a time gap; a monitor element for monitoring the frequency channel, configured to recognize an interference or transmission of a further data transmitter in the frequency channel; the transmission element being configured not to transmit via the communications channel a packet, waiting for transmission, of the at least three transmission packets if an interference or transmission from a further data transmitter is recognized by the monitor element at the time of transmitting the transmission data packet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of copending InternationalApplication No. PCT/EP2017/056832, filed Mar. 22, 2017, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and additionallyclaims priority from German Application No. 10 2016 205 054.0, filedMar. 24, 2016, which is also incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a data transmitter, inparticular to a data transmitter transmitting a data packet to a datareceiver via a communications channel in a way split into severaltransmission data packets. Further embodiments relate to a datareceiver, in particular to a data receiver receiving a data packet whichis transmitted by a data transmitter via a communications channel in away split into several transmission data packets. Some embodimentsrelate to an extension of the telegram splitting transmission method inorder to utilize simultaneous transmission in bidirectional networks.

There are different unidirectional and bidirectional systems fortransmitting data between a base station and nodes. Well-known systemsare DECT (digital enhanced cordless telecommunications) and RFID (radiofrequency identification), for example. It is typical of these systemsthat the base station predetermines a reference frequency and areference time which the nodes synchronize to. Exemplarily, in RFIDsystems, a reader (base station) predetermines a time window, whichfollows directly after its emission, within which the RFID transponders(nodes) randomly select any point in time for responding manner. Thepredetermined time interval is additionally subdivided into time slotsof equal lengths. This is referred to as a slotted ALOHA protocol. InDECT, time slots are provided within a fixed predetermined pattern. Thebase station associates to a participant a precise time slot it isallowed to use for communications. Due to the imprecision caused byquartz tolerance, a buffer time is provided for in between the timeslots in order for the data packets not to overlap.

DE 10 2011 082 098 describes a method for battery-operated transmitterswhere the data packet is subdivided into transmission packets which aresmaller than the actual piece of information to be transmitted(so-called telegram splitting). Here, telegrams are split into severalpartial packets or sub-packets. Several information symbols aretransmitted in a sub-packet. The sub-packets are distributed on afrequency or else over several frequencies, which is called frequencyhopping. There are pauses between the sub-packets where no transmissiontakes place.

In addition, in [G. Kilian, H. Petkov, R. Psiuk, H. Lieske, F. Beer, J.Robert, and A. Heuberger, “Improved coverage for low-power telemetrysystems using telegram splitting,” in Proceedings of 2013 EuropeanConference on Smart Objects, Systems and Technologies (SmartSysTech),2013], a low-energy telegram splitting system of improved networkcoverage is described.

Also, G. Kilian, M. Breiling, H. H. Petkov, H. Lieske, F. Beer, J.Robert, and A. Heuberger, “Increasing Transmission Reliability forTelemetry Systems Using Telegram Splitting,” IEEE Transactions onCommunications, vol. 63, no. 3, pp. 949-961, March 2015] describe howthe transmission reliability can be improved in telegram splittingtelemetry systems.

However, caused by channels affected by interference, collisions and,consequently, data losses still occur when transmitting data between alarge number of participants in a network of low data throughput andhigh range.

Consequently, the object underlying the present invention is providing aconcept of further increasing the channel utilization or transmissionreliability in the case of data transmission between a large number ofparticipants while using a channel affected by interference.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a data transmitter may have: means forgenerating transmission data packets, configured to split a first datapacket into at least three transmission data packets, wherein each ofthe at least three transmission data packets is shorter than the firstdata packet, the means for generating data packets being configured tochannel-encode the at least three transmission data packets such thatonly a portion of the transmission data packets is required for decodingthe first data packet; means for transmitting data packets, configuredto transmit the at least three transmission data packets in a frequencychannel via a communications channel with a time gap; means formonitoring the frequency channel, configured to recognize aninterference or transmission of a further data transmitter in thefrequency channel; wherein the means for transmitting data packets isconfigured not to transmit, transmit only partly or at a later time viathe communications channel a transmission data packet, waiting fortransmission, of the at least three transmission data packets if aninterference or transmission from a further data transmitter isrecognized by the means for monitoring the frequency channel at the timeof transmitting the transmission data packet.

According to another embodiment, a data transmitter may have: means forgenerating transmission data packets, configured to split a first datapacket into at least three transmission data packets, wherein each ofthe at least three transmission data packets is shorter than the firstdata packet, the means for generating data packets being configured tochannel-encode the at least three transmission data packets such thatonly a portion of the transmission data packets is required for decodingthe first data packet; means for transmitting data packets, configuredto transmit the at least three transmission data packets via acommunications channel with a time gap; wherein the means fortransmitting data packets is configured not to transmit, transmit onlypartly or at a later time a transmission data packet, waiting fortransmission, of the at least three transmission data packets; whereinthe means for transmitting data packets is configured not to transmit atransmission data packet, waiting for transmission, of the at leastthree transmission data packets if there is a further transmission datapacket waiting for transmission at the time of transmitting the onetransmission data packet; and wherein the means for transmitting datapackets is configured to transmit the further transmission data packetvia the communications channel.

According to still another embodiment, a system may have: at least onedata transmitter as mentioned above; and at least one data receiver, thedata receiver having: means for receiving data packets, configured toreceive at least three transmission data packets from a first datatransmitter, which are transmitted via a communications channel with atime gap and each contain part of a first data packet, the means forreceiving data packets being configured to combine the at least threetransmission data packets in order to obtain the first data packet;wherein the at least three transmission data packets are channel-encodedsuch that only a portion of the at least three transmission data packetsis required for decoding; wherein the means for receiving data packetsis configured to receive, combine and decode at least two of the atleast three transmission data packets in order to obtain the first datapacket.

According to another embodiment, a method may have the steps of:generating at least three transmission data packets by splitting a firstdata packet destined for a first data receiver into the at least threetransmission data packets, wherein each of the at least threetransmission data packets is shorter than the first data packets,wherein, when generating the at least three transmission data packets,the at least three transmission data packets are channel-encoded suchthat only a portion of the transmission data packets is required fordecoding the first data packet; transmitting the at least threetransmission data packets in a frequency channel via a communicationschannel with a time gap; monitoring the frequency channel in order torecognize an interference or transmission of a further data transmitterin the frequency channel; wherein the means for transmitting datapackets is configured not to transmit, transmit only partly or at alater time via the communications channel a transmission data packet,waiting for transmission, of the at least three transmission datapackets if an interference or transmission from a further datatransmitter is recognized by the means for monitoring the frequencychannel at the time of transmitting the transmission data packet;wherein, when transmitting the at least three transmission data packets,a transmission data packet, waiting for transmission, of the at leastthree transmission data packets is not transmitted, transmitted onlypartly or at a later time if an interference or transmission from afurther data transmitter is recognized by monitoring the frequencychannel at the time of transmitting the transmission data packet.

Another embodiment may have a computer program for performing a methodhaving the steps of: generating at least three transmission data packetsby splitting a first data packet destined for a first data receiver intothe at least three transmission data packets, wherein each of the atleast three transmission data packets is shorter than the first datapackets, wherein, when generating the at least three transmission datapackets, the at least three transmission data packets arechannel-encoded such that only a portion of the transmission datapackets is required for decoding the first data packet; transmitting theat least three transmission data packets in a frequency channel via acommunications channel with a time gap; monitoring the frequency channelin order to recognize an interference or transmission of a further datatransmitter in the frequency channel; wherein the means for transmittingdata packets is configured not to transmit, transmit only partly or at alater time via the communications channel a transmission data packet,waiting for transmission, of the at least three transmission datapackets if an interference or transmission from a further datatransmitter is recognized by the means for monitoring the frequencychannel at the time of transmitting the transmission data packet;wherein, when transmitting the at least three transmission data packets,a transmission data packet, waiting for transmission, of the at leastthree transmission data packets is not transmitted, transmitted onlypartly or at a later time if an interference or transmission from afurther data transmitter is recognized by monitoring the frequencychannel at the time of transmitting the transmission data packet.

Embodiments provide a data transmitter. The data transmitter comprisesmeans for generating transmission data packets, configured to split afirst data packet destined for a first data receiver into at least twotransmission data packets, wherein each of the transmission data packetsdestined for the first data receiver is shorter than the first datapacket. In addition, the data transmitter comprises means fortransmitting data packets, configured to transmit the at least twotransmission data packets destined for the first data receiver via acommunications channel with a time gap. Thus, the means for transmittingdata packets is configured to transmit at least one further transmissiondata packet to the first data receiver or a second data receiver in thetime gap (or temporal distance) between the at least two transmissiondata packets destined for the first data receiver.

In embodiments, the data transmitter may thus make use of the time gap(like interval, pause) between two transmission data packets or betweenemitting two transmission data packets, in order to emit (at least) onefurther transmission data packet, thereby improving channel occupationor channel utilization.

Further embodiments provide a data transmitter. The data transmittercomprises means for generating transmission data packets, configured tosplit a first data packet into at least three transmission data packets,wherein each of the at least three transmission data packets is shorterthan the first data packet, the means for generating data packets beingconfigured to channel-encode the at least three transmission datapackets such that only a portion of the transmission data packets isneeded for decoding the first data packet. Additionally, the datatransmitter comprises means for transmitting data packets, configured totransmit the at least three transmission data packets in a frequencychannel over a communications channel with a time gap. Furthermore, thedata transmitter comprises means for monitoring the frequency channel,configured to recognize an interference or transmission of a furtherdata transmitter in the frequency channel. Thus, the means fortransmitting data packets is configured not to transmit, transmit onlypartly or at a later time via the communications a transmission datapacket, waiting for transmission or pending transmission, of the atleast three transmission data packets channel if an interference ortransmission from a further data transmitter is recognized by the meansfor monitoring the frequency channel at the time of the planned emissionof the data packet.

In embodiments, the data transmitter is not able to transmit, transmitonly partly or at a later time via the communications channel thetransmission data packet waiting for transmission when an interferenceor transmission from a further data transmitter is recognized. Due tothe channel encoding used by which the transmission data packets arechannel-encoded, it is even possible not to emit or only to emit partlyone (or several) of the transmission data packets, with no data loss orinformation loss resulting, since only a portion, that is not all of thetransmission data packets is/are needed for decoding the first datapacket.

Further embodiments provide a data transmitter. The data transmittercomprises means for generating transmission data packets, configured tosplit a first data packet into at least three transmission data packets,wherein each of the at least three transmission data packets is shorterthan the first data packet, the means for generating data packets beingconfigured to channel-encode the at least three transmission datapackets such that only a portion of the transmission data packets isneeded for decoding the first data packet. Additionally, the datatransmitter comprises means for transmitting data packets, configured totransmit the at least three transmission data packets via acommunications channel with a time gap. Thus, the means for transmittingdata packets is configured not to transmit, transmit only partly or at alater time a transmission data packet, waiting for transmission, of theat least three transmission data packets.

In embodiments, the data transmitter can thus not transmit, transmitonly partly or at a later time via the communications channel thetransmission data packet, waiting for transmission, of the at leastthree transmission data packets when a further transmission data packetis waiting for transmission at the time of transmitting the onetransmission data packet, for example. Due to the channel encoding used,using which the transmission data packets are channel-encoded, it iseven possible not to emit or only emit partly one (or several) of thetransmission data packets, with no data loss or information lossresulting, since only a portion, that is not all of the transmissiondata packets is/are needed for decoding the first data packet.

Further embodiments provide a data receiver. The data receiver comprisesmeans for receiving data packets, configured to receive at least twotransmission data packets from a first data transmitter, which aretransmitted via a communications channel with a time gap and eachcontain a part of a first data packet, the means for receiving datapackets being configured to combine the at least two transmission datapackets in order to obtain the first data packet, and the means forreceiving data packets being configured to receive at least one furtherdata packet from the first data transmitter or a second data transmitterin the time gap between the at least two transmission data packets.

Further embodiments provide a system comprising one of the datatransmitters described above and the data receiver described above.

In embodiments, the system may be of a bidirectional nature, comprisingtelegram splitting in the uplink (uplink refers to the link with a dataflow direction which, from the point of view of the terminal, is in thedirection towards the telecommunications network) and/or downlink(downlink refers to the link with a data flow direction which, from thepoint of view of a terminal, comes from the direction of thetelecommunications network). Both for uplink and for downlink, thetelegram splitting method can be used for every transmission or for sometransmissions.

Embodiments allow an efficient data transmission between a large numberof participants in a network of low data throughput and high range forbeing used in channels affected by interference. In embodiments, theprinciple of telegram splitting methods can be used for bidirectionalcommunications. The transmission here does no longer necessarily takeplace between a base station and a sensor node, but may be performedbetween any participants. In addition, embodiments allow simultaneouslytransmitting and/or receiving several transmissions and additionallyallow a dissolution of collisions formed by this.

Exemplarily, methods for prioritizing individual telegrams may be used.Additionally, embodiments allow relieving the channel by specificperformance or power adjustments.

Omitting emissions of a reference signal or a downlink signal or anuplink signal in contrast results in losses in synchronicity betweenbase station and sensor nodes or in data losses when transmitting. Thetelegram splitting method allows omitting several sub-packets whentransmitting a telegram, without any data losses occurring. Theunderlying basic idea that not all the sub-packets are needed fortransmission, allows various possibilities in communications withseveral participants, when transmitting by means of telegram splitting.The transmission can be improved further and the overall throughput ofthe network be increased by specifically controlling sub-packettransmission and sub-packet receiving. In embodiments, a telegramsplitting participant is able to influence communications by means ofspecifically omitting or specifically emitting or receiving sub-packetinformation. In addition, when communicating by means of telegramsplitting, embodiments allow a simultaneous overlapping transmissionfrom and to several other participants.

Further embodiments provide a method. The method comprises a step ofgenerating at least two transmission data packets by splitting a firstdata packet destined for a first data receiver into the at least twotransmission data packets, wherein each of the transmission data packetsdestined for the first data receiver is shorter than the first datapacket; a step of transmitting the at least two transmission datapackets destined for the first data receiver via a communicationschannel with a time gap; and a step of transmitting a furthertransmission data packet to the first data receiver or a second datareceiver in the time gap between the at least two transmission datapackets destined for the first data receiver.

Further embodiments provide a method. The method comprises a step ofgenerating at least three transmission data packets by splitting a firstdata packet destined for a first data receiver into the at least threetransmission data packets, wherein each of the at least threetransmission data packets is shorter than the first data packet,wherein, when generating the at least three transmission data packets,the at least three transmission data packets are channel-encoded suchthat only a portion of the transmission data packets is needed fordecoding the first data packet; a step of transmitting the at leastthree transmission data packets in a frequency channel via acommunications channel with a time gap; and a step of monitoring thefrequency channel in order to recognize an interference or transmissionof a further data transmitter in the frequency channel; wherein, whentransmitting the at least three transmission data packets, atransmission data packet, waiting for transmission, of the at leastthree transmission data packets is not transmitted, transmitted onlypartly or at a later time via the communications channel if aninterference or transmission from a further data transmitter isrecognized by the means for monitoring the frequency channel at the timeof transmitting the data packet.

Further embodiments provide a method. The method comprises a step ofgenerating at least three transmission data packets by splitting a firstdata packet destined for a first data receiver into the at least threetransmission data packets, wherein each of the at least threetransmission data packets is shorter than the first data packet,wherein, when generating the at least three transmission data packets,the at least three transmission data packets are channel-encoded suchthat only a portion of the transmission data packets is needed fordecoding the first data packet; and a step of transmitting the at leastthree transmission data packets in a frequency channel via acommunications channel with a time gap; wherein, when transmitting theat least three transmission data packets, a transmission data packet,waiting for transmission, of the at least three transmission datapackets is not transmitted, transmitted only partly or at a later timeif a further transmission data packet is waiting for transmission at thetime of transmitting the one transmission data packet.

Further embodiments provide a method. The method comprises a step ofreceiving at least two transmission data packets from a first datatransmitter, wherein the at least two transmission data packets aretransmitted via a communications channel with a time gap and eachcontain part of a first data packet; a step of combining the at leasttwo transmission data packets in order to obtain the first data packet;and a step of receiving at least one further data packet in the time gapbetween the at least two transmission data packets from the first datatransmitter or a second data transmitter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be detailed subsequentlyreferring to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a communications system having at leastone data transmitter and at least one data receiver;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a data transmitter in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 3a shows an occupation of a communications channel whileconsidering the transmission data packets waiting for transmission andan interference or a further transmission in a diagram;

FIG. 3b shows an occupation of the communications channel whileconsidering the actually emitted transmission data packets and theinterference or the further transmissions in a diagram;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a data transmitter in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a system comprising the data transmitteras shown in FIG. 4 and several data receivers in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 6 shows an occupation of the communications channel for the systemas shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with an embodiment in a diagram;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a data receiver in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a system having the data receiver as shownin FIG. 7 and several data transmitters in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the data transmitter as shown in FIG. 4having additional means for receiving data packets in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a system having the transceiver as shownin FIG. 9 and two data transmitters and two data receivers in accordancewith an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a system having two transceivers inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 12 shows an occupation of the communications channel for the systemas shown in FIG. 11 in accordance with an embodiment in a diagram;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a data transmitter in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14a shows an occupation of a communications channel whileconsidering the transmission data packets, waiting for transmission,which are partly overlapping, in a diagram;

FIG. 14b shows an occupation of the communications channel whileconsidering the actually emitted transmission data packets so that thereis no overlapping of transmission data packets, in a diagram;

FIG. 15a shows an occupation of a communications channel whileconsidering the transmission data packets, waiting for transmission,which are partly overlapping, in a diagram;

FIG. 15b shows an occupation of the communications channel whileconsidering the actually emitted transmission data packets so that thereis no overlapping of transmission data packets, in a diagram;

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart of a method for transmitting data packets inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart of a method for transmitting data packets inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart of a method for transmitting data packets inaccordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 19 shows a flowchart of a method for receiving data packets inaccordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of embodiments of the invention, equalelements or elements of equal effect in the figures are provided withequal reference numerals so that the description thereof in thedifferent embodiments is mutually interchangeable.

However, before describing in detail embodiments of the inventive datatransmitter and the inventive data receiver, an exemplary communicationssystem where the data transmitter and the data receiver may be employedis shown making reference to FIG. 1.

In detail, FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a communications systemhaving at least one data transmitter 100_1 and at least one datareceiver 102_1. The communications system may optionally additionallycomprise a second data transmitter 100_2, wherein in this case the datatransmitter 100_1 is referred to as first data transmitter 100_1.Similarly, the communications system may optionally comprise a seconddata receiver 102_2, wherein in this case the data receiver 102_1 isreferred to as first data receiver 102_1.

The first data transmitter 100_1 and the second data transmitter 100_2may be equal data transmitters. Similarly, the first data receiver 102_1and the second data receiver 102_2 may be equal data receivers.

The first data transmitter 100_1 may, for example, transmit a first datapacket 104 to the first data receiver 102_1 and a second data packet 106to the second data receiver. In this case, the first data receiver 102_1receives the first data packet 104 and the second data receiver 102_2receives the second data packet 106.

The first data transmitter 100_1 may of course also transmit the firstdata packet 104 to the first data receiver 102_1 and the second datapacket 106 to the second data receiver 102_2. In this case, the firstdata receiver 102_1 receives the first data packet 104 and the seconddata receiver 102_2 receives the second data packet 106.

It is of course also possible for the second data transmitter 102,instead of the first data transmitter 100_1 to transmit at least one ofthe two data packets 104 and 106 to the respective data receiver 102_1and 102_2. Correspondingly, one of the two data receivers 102_1 and102_2 may also receive both data packets 104 and 106 which may betransmitted by one or both data transmitters 100_1 and 100_2.

In addition, from the point of view of the (first) data transmitter100_1, the second data transmitter 100_2 may be a further datatransmitter 100_2 transmitting a further data packet 108. The furtherdata transmitter 100_2 here does not have to be part of thecommunications system.

In addition, apart from the communications systems, there may be aninterferer 110 interfering in the transmissions of the communicationssystem.

The data transmitters may be both base stations and nodes (sensornodes). Exemplarily, the system may be used for transmitting data from abase station, like control data for adjusting individual parameters ofan actuator or sensor, to an individual or a large number of simplenodes. The radio transmission band used here usually is not reservedexclusively for this transmission, but is shared with many furthersystems, which makes reliable transmission of the information moredifficult. In addition, suitable bands are subject to regulation whichrestricts the transmission time allowed over a certain period.

Since not only transmitting data, but also receiving data entails acomparatively high energy consumption, the telegram splitting method maybe used for both transmitting data from the node to the base station andfor transmitting data from the base station to the node. In both cases,the energy consumption of the nodes is to be kept small since these maynot comprise a constant current supply, but operate, for example, aso-called energy harvesting method, that is obtain energy from theirenvironment (differences in temperature, sunlight, electromagnetic wavesetc.) or else comprise a battery which is not able to provide thecurrent for the transmitter or receiver over a sufficiently long time.

Telegram Splitting in the Transmit Path Including Frequency ChannelMonitoring

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the data transmitter 100_1 inaccordance with an embodiment. The data transmitter 100_1 comprisesmeans 112 for generating transmission data packets, configured to splita first data packet 104 into at least three transmission data packets104_1 to 104_n (wherein n may be any natural number greater than orequaling three), wherein each of the at least three transmission datapackets 104_1 to 104_n is shorter than the first data packet 104, themeans 112 for generating data packets being configured to channel-encodethe at least three transmission data packets 104_1 to 104_n such thatonly a portion of the transmission data packets 104_1 104_n(like (atleast) two of the at least three transmission data packets 104_1 to104_n) is needed for decoding the first data packet 104. Additionally,the data transmitter 101 comprises means 114 for transmitting datapackets, configured to transmit the at least three transmission datapackets 104_1 to 104_n in a frequency channel via a communicationschannel with a time gap 116. The data transmitter 101 additionallycomprises means 118 for monitoring the frequency channel, configured torecognize interference 120 by the interferer 110 or transmission 122 ofa further data transmitter 100_2 in the frequency channel. The means 114for transmitting data packets is configured not to transmit, transmitonly partly or at a later time via the communications channel atransmission data packet, waiting for transmission, of the at leastthree transmission data packets 104_1 to 104_n if an interference 120 ortransmission 122 by a different data transmitter 100_2 is recognized bythe means 118 for monitoring the frequency channel at the time oftransmitting the transmission data packet.

In embodiments, the data transmitter 100_1 may thus not transmit,transmit only partly or at a later time via the communications channelthe transmission data packet waiting for transmission when aninterference 120 or transmission 122 by a further data transmitter 102is recognized. Due to the channel encoding used by means of which thetransmission data packets 104_1 to 104_n are channel-encoded, it is evenpossible not to emit, emit only partly or at a later time one (orseveral) of the transmission data packets, without a data loss orinformation loss resulting from this, since only a portion, that is notall of the transmission data packets are needed for decoding the firstdata packet 104.

As is shown exemplarily in FIG. 2, an interference 120 or transmission122 of a further data transmitter 100_2 may occur shortly before theplanned transmission of the third transmission data packet 104_3 and berecognized by the means 118 for monitoring the frequency channel,whereupon the means 114 for transmitting data packets does not transmit,transmit only partly or at a later point in time via the communicationschannel the third transmission data packet 104_3.

Exemplarily, the means 118 for monitoring the frequency channels may beconfigured to perform power detection in the frequency channel in orderto recognize the interference 120 or transmission 122 of the furtherdata transmitter 100_2 in the frequency channel.

Furthermore, (alternatively or additionally) the means 118 formonitoring the frequency channel may be configured to predict theinterference 120 or the transmission 122 of the further data transmitter100_2 in the frequency channel based on a previous interference orprevious transmission of a further data transmitter and/or based on aninterference or transmission of a further data transmitter in afrequency channel adjacent to the frequency channel.

The means 114 for transmitting data packets may additionally beconfigured to adjust the time gap 116 between the transmission datapackets 104_1 to 104_n in dependence on the recognized interference 120or transmission 122 of the further data transmitter 102.

The mode of functioning of the data transmitter 100_1 as shown in FIG. 2will be discussed in greater detail below referring to the diagramsshown in FIGS. 3a and 3 b.

In detail, FIG. 3a shows an occupation of the communications channel(transmission medium) with the (planned) transmission data packets 104_1to 104_n waiting for transmission and an interference 120 or furthertransmission 122 in a diagram, whereas FIG. 3b shows an occupation ofthe communications channel with the actually emitted transmission datapackets 104_1 to 104_n while considering the interference 120 or furthertransmission 122 in a diagram. In FIGS. 3a and 3b , the ordinate eachdescribes the frequency and the abscissa time.

As can be recognized in FIGS. 3a and 3b , the data transmitter 100_1 (orthe means 114 for transmitting data packets) may be configured not totransmit a third transmission data packet 104_3 and a sixth transmissiondata packet 104_6 of the at least three transmission data packets 104_1to 104_n due to the recognized interference 120 or further transmission122.

As is also indicated in FIGS. 3a and 3b , the means 114 for transmittingdata packets may be configured to distribute the transmission packetsover several (at least two) frequency channels (or transmissionfrequencies).

The data transmitter 100_1 can consequently make use of the telegramsplitting method in the transmit path including frequency channelmonitoring (also referred to as listen-before-talk). FIGS. 2 to 3 brelate to a transmission system with telegram splitting where individualsub-packets (transmission data packets) 104_1 to 104_n are nottransmitted or transmitted only partly if an activity is found in thechannel on that frequency range where the sub-packet is to betransmitted. An activity may, for example, take place by means of powerdetection in the target band of the sub-packet. It is also possible topredict the activity of the channel by present observations of the pastor the present neighbor channel activity. Due to error protection(channel encoding), the telegram (first data packet) 104 may also bedecoded in an error-free manner while omitting transmitting somesub-packets.

Telegram Splitting in the Transmit Path, Simultaneously Emitting SeveralTelegrams

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary view of a data transmitter 100_1 in accordancewith an embodiment. The transmitter 100_1 comprises means 112 forgenerating transmission data packets, configured to split a first datapacket 104 destined for the first data receiver 102_1 into at least twotransmission data packets 104_1 to 104_n (wherein n may be any naturalnumber greater than or equaling two), wherein each of the transmissiondata packets 104_1 to 104_n destined for the first data receiver 102_1is shorter than the first data packet 104. Additionally, the datatransmitter 100_1 comprises means 114 for transmitting data packets,configured to transmit the at least two transmission data packets 104_1to 104_n destined for the first data receiver 102_1 via a communicationschannel with a time gap 116. The means 114 for transmitting data packetshere is configured to transmit at least one further transmission datapacket 124 to the first data receiver 102_1 or the second data receiver102_2 in the time gap 116 between the at least two transmission datapackets 104_1 to 104_n destined for the first data receiver 102_1.

In embodiments, the data transmitter 101 may thus make use of the timegap (like interval, pause) 116 between two transmission data packets104_1 to 104_n or between emitting two transmission data packets 104_1to 104_n in order to emit (at least) one further transmission datapacket 124, thereby improving channel occupation or channel utilization.

The further transmission data packet 124 here can be any data packetwhich can be transmitted using any transmission method.

It is of course also possible for the further transmission data packet124 to be one of at least two transmission data packets by means ofwhich the data transmitter 100_1 transmits the second data packet 106 tothe first data receiver 102_1 or the second data receiver 102_2 via thecommunications channel in a split manner.

Exemplarily, the means 112 for generating transmission data packets maybe configured to split up the second data packet 106 destined for thesecond data receiver 102_2 into at least two transmission data packets106_1 to 106_m (wherein m may be any natural number greater than orequaling two), wherein each of the at least two transmission datapackets 106_1 to 106_m for the second data receiver 102_2 is shorterthan the second data packet 106. The means 114 for transmitting datapackets may be configured to transmit the at least two transmission datapackets 106_1 to 106_m via the communications channel with a time gap.In this case, one of the at least two transmission data packets 106_1 to106_m of the second data packet 106 may be the further transmission datapacket.

As is indicated in FIG. 4, the means 114 for transmitting data packetsmay be configured to transmit the at least two transmission data packets104_1 to 104_n destined for the first data receiver 102_1 and the atleast two transmission data packets 106_1 to 106_m destined for thesecond data receiver 102_2 alternatingly in the time gap between thetransmission data packets destined for the respective other datareceiver.

The mode of functioning of the data transmitter 100_1 as shown in FIG. 4will be discussed below in greater detail referring to FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a system 128 having the datatransmitter 100_1 as shown in FIG. 4 and several data receivers 102_1 to102_4 in accordance with an embodiment. In detail, FIG. 5 shows thefirst data receiver 102_1 and the second data receiver 102_2. The system128 may further (optionally) comprise a third data receiver 102_3 and afourth data receiver 102_4. As is exemplarily shown in FIG. 5, the datatransmitter 100_1 and the fourth data receiver 102_4 may be basestations, whereas the first data receiver 102_1, the second datareceiver 102_2 and the third data receiver 102_3 may be nodes (sensornodes). Consequently, FIG. 5 shows the distribution of data packets (ortelegrams) from one participant (data transmitter 100_1) to furtherparticipants (data receivers 102_1 to 102_4).

FIG. 6 shows an occupation of the communications channel (transmissionmedium) for the system 128 as shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with anembodiment in a diagram. Thus, in FIG. 6, the ordinate designates thefrequency and the abscissa time.

As has already been described referring to FIG. 4 and can also berecognized from FIG. 6, the means 114 for transmitting data packets maybe configured to transmit the at least two transmission data packets104_1 to 104_n destined for the first data receiver 102_1 (in FIG. 6also referred to by “A”) via the communications channel with a time gap.The means 114 for transmitting data packets here may be configured totransmit the further transmission data packet 124 (in FIG. 6 referred toby “B”) to the second data receiver 102_2 in the time gap 116 betweenthe at least two transmission data packets 104_1 to 104_n destined forthe first data receiver 102_1.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the further transmission data packet 124can be emitted to the second data receiver 102_2 by means of a differenttransmission method (that is not using the telegram splitting method).

The means 112 for generating data packets may also be configured tosplit a third data packet destined for the third data receiver 122_3into at least two transmission data packets 130_1 to 130_m(in FIG. 6also referred to by “C”) (wherein m may be any natural number greaterthan or equaling two), wherein each of the transmission data packets130_1 to 130_m destined for the third data receiver 102_3 is shorterthan the third data packet. The means 114 for transmitting data packetsmay be configured to transmit the at least two transmission data packets130_1 to 130_m destined for the third data receiver 102_3 via thecommunications channel with a time gap.

In addition, the means 112 for generating data packets may be configuredto split a fourth data packet destined for the fourth data receiver102_4 into at least two transmission data packets 132_1 to 132_i(in FIG.6 also referred to by “2”) (wherein i may be any natural number greaterthan or equaling two), wherein each of the transmission data packets132_1 to 132_i destined for the fourth data receiver 102_4 is shorterthan the fourth data packet. The means 114 for transmitting data packetshere may be configured to transmit the at least two transmission datapackets 132_1 to 132_i destined for the fourth data receiver 102_4 viathe communications channel with a time gap.

As can be recognized in FIG. 6, the at least two transmission datapackets 104_1 to 104_n destined for the first data receiver 102_1, theat least two transmission data packets 130_1 to 126_m destined for thethird data receiver 102_3 and the at least two transmission data packets132_1 to 132_i destined for the fourth data receiver 102_4 can betransmitted alternatingly in the time gaps between the transmission datapackets destined for the respective other data receiver.

The data transmitter 100_1 can consequently utilize the telegramsplitting method for communications with the first, third and fourthdata receivers 102_1, 102_3 and 102_4 and a different transmissionmethod for communications with the second data receiver 102_2. Thetelegram splitting method may of course also be used for communicationswith the second data receiver 102_2.

As is also indicated in FIG. 6, the means 108 for transmitting datapackets may be configured to distribute the transmission packets overseveral (at least two) frequency channels (or transmission frequencies).

In other words, a participant (data transmitter) 100_1 is able to radioto several other participants (data receivers) 102_1 to 102_4 in atemporally overlapping manner. This can be done due to the comparativelylong pauses in telegram splitting. Here, the participant (datatransmitter) 100_1 transmits a further transmission to a furtherparticipant (data receiver) or at least one further transmission to thesame participant in a pause between two sub-packets (transmission datapackets). This transmission may also be performed by means of telegramsplitting, but also using any other transmission technique. When usingtelegram splitting, different hop patterns or the same hop pattern, buttemporally offset, may be used. It is also possible, but not necessaryto send time-offset hop patterns at a frequency offset.

Due to the time hop pattern, emitting the entire telegram (data packet)takes a comparatively long time, since there are many pauses in order toincrease the resistance to interferences. In the pauses, it is possibleto emit the transmission to a further participant, as is shown in FIG. 6using the example of transmitting several temporally overlappingtelegrams. In detail, an occupation of the spectrum when simultaneouslytransmitting four messages (data packets) A, B, C and 2 can be gatheredfrom FIG. 6. For the first, third and fourth messages A, C and 2, thetelegram splitting method can be used. For the first and third messagesA and C, the same sub-packet pattern, but shifted in time and frequency,can be used. A different sub-packet pattern can be used for the fourthmessage 2. A different transmission technique can be used for the secondmessage B.

Telegram Splitting in the Receive Path, Simultaneously Receiving SeveralTelegrams

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the data receiver 102_1 in accordancewith an embodiment. The data receiver 102_1 comprises means 134 forreceiving data packets, configured to receive at least two transmissiondata packets 104_1 to 104_n (wherein n may be any natural number greaterthan or equaling two) from a first data transmitter 100_1, which aretransmitted via a communications channel with a time gap 116 and eachcontain part of a first data packet 104, wherein the means 134 forreceiving data packets is configured to combine the at least twotransmission data packets 104_1 to 104_n in order to obtain the firstdata packet 104. The means 134 for receiving data packets here isconfigured to receive at least one further data packet 124 from thefirst data transmitter 100_1 or the second data transmitter 100_2 in thetime gap 116 between the at least two transmission data packets 104_1 to104_n.

The further transmission data packet 124 here can be emitted by thefirst data transmitter 100_1 or the second data transmitter 100_2 bymeans of any transmission method (that is except for the telegramsplitting method).

It is of course also possible for the further transmission data packet124 to be one of at least two transmission data packets by means ofwhich the first data transmitter 100_1 or the second data transmitter100_2 transmits the second data packet 106 to the data receiver 102_1via the communications channel in a split manner.

Exemplarily, the means 134 for receiving data packets may be configuredto receive at least two transmission data packets 106_1 to 106_m fromthe second data transmitter 100_2 (wherein m may be any natural numbergreater than or equaling two), which are transmitted via acommunications channel with a time gap and each contain part of thesecond data packet 106, wherein the means 134 for receiving data packetsis configured to combine the at least two transmission data packets106_1 to 106_m from the second data transmitter 100_2 in order to obtainthe second data packet 106. In this case, one of the at least twotransmission data packets 106_1 to 106_m may be the further transmissiondata packet 124.

As can exemplarily be recognized in FIG. 7, the means 134 for receivingdata packets may be configured to receive the at least two transmissiondata packets 104_1 to 104_n from the first data transmitter 100_1 andreceive the at least two transmission data packets 106_1 to 106_m fromthe second data transmitter 100_2 alternatingly in the time gap betweenthe transmission data packets from the respective other datatransmitter.

A participant (like data receiver 102_1) is thus able to receive fromseveral other participants (like data transmitters 100_1 to 100_2) in atemporally overlapping manner. This is made possible by thecomparatively long pauses in telegram splitting. Here, the participantreceives a further transmission from a further participant or at leastone further message from the same participant in a pause between twosub-packets. This transmission may also take place by means of telegramsplitting, but also using any other transmission technique. When usingtelegram splitting, different sub-packet patterns or the same sub-packetpattern, but offset in time, may be used. It is additionally possible,but not necessary to send the time-offset sub-packet pattern at afrequency offset.

Due to the hop pattern/time hop pattern, emitting the entire telegram(like first data packets 104 or second data packets 106) takes acomparatively long period of time, since there are many pauses in orderto increase resistance to interferences. Within the pauses, it ispossible to receive also the transmission from a further participant, aswill be discussed below referring to the example, shown in FIG. 8, of asystem having several temporally overlapping telegrams.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a system 128 having the data receiver102_1 as shown in FIG. 1 and several data transmitters 100_1 to 100_4 inaccordance with an embodiment. In detail, in FIG. 8, four datatransmitters 100_1 to 100_4 can be recognized, wherein the data receiver102_1 receives a first data packet “A” from a first data transmitter101, a second data packet “B” from a second data transmitter 100_2, athird data packet “C” from the third data transmitter 100_3 and a fourthdata packet “2” from the fourth data transmitter 100_4.

The data receiver 102_1 may be a base station. The first datatransmitter 100_1, the second data transmitter 100_2 and the third datatransmitter 100_3 may be nodes (sensor nodes), whereas the fourth datatransmitter 100_4 may be a base station.

In case several telegrams (like data packets) overlap in the time and/orfrequency ranges, the data interfered in can be corrected in many casesusing error correction. Using methods like SIC (successive interferencecancellation), is also possible. When the receive station comprisesseveral receive antennas, beamforming or beamforming algorithms may beused additionally.

Telegram Splitting in Mixed Transmit and Receive Operation, MixedTransmitting and Receiving with Temporally Overlapping Telegrams

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of the data transmitter 100_1 shown inFIG. 4 having additional means 138 for receiving data packets inaccordance with an embodiment. The following description applies inanalogy for the data transmitter 100_1 as shown in FIG. 2 as well. Asregards the transmit path of the data transmitter 100_1, the aboveexplanations are made reference to.

The data transmitter 100_1 may be a data transceiver further comprisingmeans 138 for receiving data packets. The means 138 for receiving datapackets may be configured to receive a transmission data packet 140 froma further data transmitter 100_2 in the time gap 116 between thetransmission data packets 104_1 to 104_n destined for the first datareceiver 102_1.

The transmission data packet 140 from the further data transmitter 100_2here may be transferred by means of any transmission method. Thetransmission data packet 140 may of course also be one of at least twotransmission data packets by means of which the further data transmitter100_2 transmits a further data packet 108 to the data transceiver 100_1in a split manner.

Exemplarily, the means 138 for receiving data packets may be configuredto receive at least one of at least two transmission data packets 108_1to 108_b (wherein b is a natural number greater than or equaling two),which are transmitted by the further data transmitter 100_2 in a timegap between the transmission data packets 104_1 to 104_n destined forthe first data receiver 102_1, wherein the at least two transmissiondata packets 108_1 to 108_b are transmitted by the further datatransmitter 102 via the communications channel with a time gap and eachcontain part of the further data packet 108, wherein the means 138 forreceiving data packets is configured to combine the at least twotransmission data packets 108_1 to 108_b in order to obtain the furtherdata packet 108. In this case, one of the at least two transmission datapackets 108_1 to 108_b from the further data transmitter 102 may be thetransmission data packet 140 from the further data transmitter 100_2.

A participant (like transceiver 100_1) may correspondingly receive fromseveral further participants in a temporally overlapping manner and/ortransmit to several further participants in a temporally overlappingmanner. This is possible due to the comparably long pauses in telegramsplitting. Here, the pause between the sub-packets of one transmissionof the participants may, irrespective of its direction, be used in orderto perform a further transmission, also irrespective of its direction.

Basically, it is also possible for the receive station to supportfull-duplex operation and thus to be able to transmit and receive at thesame time at the same frequency. This additional transmission may alsobe performed by means of telegram splitting, but also using any othertransmission technique.

When using telegram splitting, different sub-packet patterns or the samesub-packet pattern, but offset in time, may be used. It is alsopossible, but not necessary to send the time-offset sub-packet patternsat a frequency offset.

Mixed transmitting and receiving with several participants will bedescribed below in greater detail referring to FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of a system 128 having the transceiver100_1 as shown in FIG. 9 and two data transmitters 100_2 and 10_3 andtwo data receivers 102_2 and 102_3 in accordance with an embodiment. Thedata transceiver 100_1 can receive a first data packet “A” from thesecond data transmitter 100_2, transmit a second data packet “B” to thesecond data receiver 102_2, transmit a third data packet “C” to thethird data receiver 102_3 and receive a fourth data packet “2” from thethird data transmitter 100.

The transceiver 100_1 may be a base station. The second data transmitter100_2, the second data receiver 102_2, the third data receiver 102_3 maybe sensor nodes, whereas the third data transmitter 100_3 may be a basestation.

In other words, FIG. 10 shows an exemplary mixed transmitting andreceiving of temporally overlapping telegrams. In detail, base station 1(100_1) can transmit to sensor node B (102_2) and sensor node C (102_3),whereas at the same time messages are received from base station 2(100_3) and sensor node A (100_2).

The base station 100_1 consequently wishes to transmit to two sensornodes 102_2 and 102_3, while it receives a message from a further sensornode 100_2 and a base station 100_3.

Due to the hop pattern/time hop pattern, emitting the entire telegramtakes a relatively long period of time, since there are many pauses inorder to increase the resistance to interferences. Within the pauses, itis possible to perform a further transmission, see the example oftransmitting several temporally overlapping telegrams in FIG. 6.

Duplex operation (transmitting and receiving between participants) willbe described below in greater detail referring to FIGS. 11 and 12.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of a system 128 having two transceivers100_1 and 100_2 in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 11 reveals anexemplary duplex operation between two participants. In duplexoperation, a participant transmits and receives with the same furtherparticipant in a temporally overlapping manner. This transmission is notrestricted to telegram splitting or one message per direction.

As is also exemplarily indicated in FIG. 11, the first transceiver 100_1may be a base station, whereas the second transceiver 100_2 may be asensor node. Exemplarily, the base station 100_1 may transmit twomessages (data packets) to the sensor node 100_2, whereas the sensornode transmits a message (data packet) to the base station 100_1.

FIG. 12 shows an occupation of the communications channel (transmissionmedium) for the system 128 as shown in FIG. 11 in accordance with anembodiment in a diagram. The ordinate describes frequency, whereas theabscissa describes time.

As can be recognized from FIG. 12, the first transceiver 100_1 may beconfigured to transmit the first data packet 104 to the secondtransceiver 100_2 in a way split into the at least two transmission datapackets 104_1 to 104_n(telegram splitting). In addition, the firsttransceiver 100_1 may be configured to transmit the further transmissiondata packet 124 to the second transceiver 102 in the time gap betweenthe at least two transmission data packets 104_2 and 104_3 (differenttransmission method).

The second transceiver 100_2 may be configured to transmit the seconddata packet 106 to the first data transceiver 100_1 in a manner splitinto the at least two transmission data packets 106_1 to 106_m(telegramsplitting).

The transmission data packets from the first transceiver and thetransmission data packets from the second transceiver here may beemitted in the time gap between the respective other transmission datapackets.

Telegram Splitting in the Transmit Path, while Omitting OverlappingTransmission Data Packets when Transmitting to Several Participants

FIG. 13 shows a schematic view of a data transmitter 100_1 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. The data transmitter 100_1comprises means 112 for generating transmission data packets, configuredto split the first data packet 104 into at least three transmission datapackets 104_1 To 104_n (wherein n may be any natural number greater thanor equaling three), wherein each of the at least three transmission datapackets 104_1 to 104_n is shorter than the first data packet 104,wherein the means 112 for generating transmission data packets isconfigured to channel-encode the at least three transmission datapackets 104_1 to 104_n such that only a portion of the transmission datapackets (like only at least two of the at least three transmission datapackets 104_1 to 104_n) is needed for decoding the first data packet104. In addition, the data transmitter comprises means 114 fortransmitting data packets, configured to transmit the at least threetransmission data packets 104_1 to 104_n via a communications channelwith a time gap 116. The means 114 for transmitting data packets heremay be configured not to transmit, transmit only partly or at a latertime a transmission data packet, waiting for transmission, of the atleast three transmission data packets if there is a further transmissionpacket 124 waiting for transmission at the time of transmitting the onetransmission data packet.

In embodiments, the data transmitter can, for example when a furthertransmission data packet is waiting for transmission at the time oftransmitting the one transmission data packet, not transmit, transmitonly partly or at a later time via the communications channel thetransmission data packet, waiting for transmission, of the at leastthree transmission data packets. Due to the channel encoding used usingwhich the transmission data packets are channel-encoded, it is evenpossible not to emit or emit only partly one (or several) of thetransmission data packets, without a data loss or information lossresulting, since only a portion, that is not all of the transmissiondata packets are needed for decoding the first data packet.

As can exemplarily be recognized in FIG. 13, the further transmissiondata packet 124 may be waiting for transmission at the time of thesecond transmission data packet 104_2. In this case, the means 114 fortransmitting data packets may not transmit, transmit only partly or at alater time the second transmission data packet.

In embodiments, the means 114 for transmitting data packets may beconfigured to transmit the further transmission data packet 124 via thecommunications channel. In other words, the data transmitter 101 itselfis able to transmit the further transmission data packet 124.

The further transmission data packet 124 can be transferred by means ofany transmission method. It is of course also possible for the furthertransmission data packet 124 to be one of at least three transmissiondata packets 106_1 to 106_m by means of which the second data packet 106is transmitted in a split manner.

Exemplarily, the at least three transmission data packets 104_1 to 104_nmay be destined for a first data receiver 102_1. The means 112 forgenerating transmission data packets here may be configured to split asecond data packet 106 destined for a second data receiver 102_2 into atleast three transmission data packets 106_1 to 106_m (wherein m may beany natural number greater than or equaling three), wherein each of thetransmission data packets 106_1 to 106_m destined for the second datareceiver 102_2 is shorter than the second data packet 106, wherein themeans 112 for generating data packets may be configured tochannel-encode the at least three transmission data packets 106_1 to106_m destined for the second data receiver 102_2 such that only aportion of the transmission data packets is needed for decoding thesecond data packet 106. The means 114 for transmitting data packets maybe configured to transmit the at least three transmission data packets106_1 to 106_m destined for the second data receiver 102_2 via thecommunications channel with a time gap. In this case, one of the atleast three transmission data packets destined for the second datareceiver 102_2 may be the further transmission data packet 124.

In embodiments, the further transmission data packet 124 may also betransmitted by any other data transmitter 100_2. The time oftransmitting the further transmission data packet 124 by the furtherdata transmitter 100_2 may be known to the data transmitter 100_1.

FIG. 14a shows an occupation of the communications channel (transmissionmedium) with the (planned) transmission data packets waiting fortransmission in a diagram, whereas FIG. 14b shows an occupation of thecommunications channel with the actually emitted transmission datapackets in a diagram. Both in FIG. 14a and FIG. 14b , the ordinatedescribes frequency, whereas the abscissa describes time.

As can be recognized from FIG. 14a , the first data packet 104 may betransmitted in a way split into the transmission data packets 104_1 to104_n, the second data packet 106 in a way split into the transmissiondata packets 106_1 to 106_m and the third data packet in a way splitinto the transmission data packets 130_1 to 130_i with a respective timegap in the time gaps between the respective other transmission datapackets.

As can also be recognized from FIG. 14a , a planned emission of thetransmission data packets would result in two overlap regions 142 and144. In a first overlap region, the transmission data packets 104_3 and106_3 overlap, whereas the transmission data packets 104_4, 106_4 and130_4 overlap in the second overlap region, which is why thetransmission data packets mentioned are not transmitted, as can berecognized from FIG. 14 b.

This means that one participant is able to radio to several otherparticipants in a temporally overlapping manner. The time hop patternshere for some transmission data packets overlap probably. Thetransmitter may know which sub-packets (transmission data packet) willoverlap (see FIG. 14a ). The overlapping sub-packets cannot be emitted(see FIG. 14b ), since the receivers may detect the lack of thesub-packets and process this information—that is evaluate thissub-packet to be lacking information.

This procedure may be better than emitting one of the sub-packets to acertain receiver, since the further, at least one, participants whichalso expect a sub-packet at this point may not be able to determine thatthe sub-packet was not destined for them and consequently receive asub-packet which contains information unusable for decoding itstelegram. From the point of view of error protection decoding, falseinformation is worse than no information at all.

In embodiments, the means 114 for transmitting data packets may beconfigured not to transmit, transmit only partly or at a later time thetransmission data packet, waiting for transmission, of the at leastthree transmission data packets 104_1 to 104_n if the furthertransmission data packet additionally fulfills a transmission criterion.

Exemplarily, the transmission criterion may indicate that the furthertransmission data packet 124 exhibits a higher transmission prioritythan the transmission data packet, waiting for transmission, of the atleast three transmission data packets 104_1 to 104_n.

Furthermore, the transmission criterion may indicate that thetransmission data packet 104_1 to 104_n waiting for transmission and thefurther transmission data packet 124 are transmitted in the samefrequency channel.

When two sub-packets overlap in the time range, but not the frequencyrange, usually both sub-packets can be transmitted and no omission isnecessary. Even when signals overlap only in time, but not the frequencyrange, nevertheless only one signal may be transmitted, like when thetransmitter, for technical reasons, is only able to emit one sub-packetat one time, even when these do not overlap in the frequency range.

A decision as to which sub-packets can be omitted may result fromdifferent parameters. For example, from channel attenuation to thereceiver or the number of sub-packets omitted already.

Telegram Splitting in the Transmit Path, while Only TransmittingOverlapping Transmission Data Packets if this is of Advantage forDecoding Certain Participants

As has already been mentioned, the means 114 for transmitting datapackets may be configured not to transmit, transmit only partly or at alater time the transmission data package, waiting for transmission, ofthe at least three transmission data packets 104_1 to 104_n only if thefurther transmission data packets additionally fulfils a transmissioncriterion.

The transmission criterion may, for example, indicate that in thetransmission of the further transmission data packet 124, decoding thefirst data packet 104 by a data receiver based on the furthertransmission data packets of the at least three transmission datapackets 104_1 to 104_n is nevertheless possible with a probability of atleast 90% (or 70% or 80% or 95%). A channel quality may, for example, beconsidered for determining the probability. In addition, whendetermining the probability, a number of transmission data packets, notemitted before, of the at least three transmission data packets 104_1 to104_n may be considered.

FIG. 15a shows an occupation of the communications channel (transmissionmedium) with the (planned) transmission data packets waiting fortransmission in a diagram, whereas FIG. 15b shows an occupation of thecommunications channel with the actually emitted transmission datapackets in a diagram. In both FIGS. 15a and 15b , the ordinate describesfrequency, whereas the abscissa describes time.

As can be recognized from FIG. 15a , the first data packet 104 can betransmitted with a time gap in the time gaps between the respectiveother transmission data packets, in a way split into the transmissiondata packets 104_1 to 104_n and the second data packet 106 in a waysplit into the transmission data packets 106_1 to 106_m.

As can further be recognized from FIG. 15a , the planned emission of thetransmission data packets would result in an overlap region 142 wherethe transmission data packets 104_4 and 106_4 overlap. As can berecognized from FIG. 15b , the transmission data packet 104_4 is nottransmitted.

This means that a participant is able to radio to several otherparticipants in a temporally overlapping manner. The time hop patternsmay overlap in time for some sub-packets with high probability. Withoverlapping sub-packets, a sub-packet will only be emitted if it isevaluated by the base station as being important for a participant andas being not very interfering for the further participant.

Evaluating the interference may, for example, be done using the channelquality between the participants in the past. In case the channelbetween two participants (like A and C) was very good, the probabilityof interfering with a participant (like C) by emitting to a differentparticipant (like B) is very low. If the channel between twoparticipants (like A and B) has been critical, an additionalinterference by emitting the sub-packet to the one participant (like C),in the case of overlapping, would further decrease the receive qualityof the message to the further participant (like B). A further criterionfor evaluating may be the number of sub-packets, omitted already, of atelegram.

Thus, as is shown in FIGS. 15a and 15b , a sub-packet having a lowinterference potential can be emitted nevertheless in the case ofoverlapping. As is shown in FIG. 15a , an emission to two participants(like C and B) which partly overlap in a sub-packet is planned (see FIG.15a ). Since the channel to one participant (like C) is evaluated asbeing less susceptible to interference, with overlapping, the sub-packetfor the one participant (like C) may be omitted and the sub-packet forthe further participant (like B) be emitted.

Telegram Splitting in the Transmit Path, while Omitting TransmissionData Packets in Dependence on External Factors

As a modification of the data transmitter 100_1 shown in FIG. 3, themeans for transmitting data packets of which is configured not totransmit, transmit only partly or a later time overlapping transmissiondata packets, the means for transmitting data packets may instead (oradditionally) be configured not to transmit, transmit only partly or ata later time a transmission data packet, waiting for transmission, ofthe at least three transmission data packets in dependence on externalfactors.

The data transmitter (like base station) 100_1 may consequently nottransmit, transmit only partly or at a later time certain transmissiondata packets if these are not to be transmitted due to external factors(like regulatory factors, like an overall duty cycle, or by a message ofa primary network (like UMTS)).

Telegram Splitting in the Transmit or Receive Path, with a Hop PatternAdjusted to the Channel

The means 114 for transmitting data packets may be configured to adjustthe time gap between the transmission data packets, the frequencychannel or the frequency channels which the transmission data packetsare distributed to, or non-emission of a transmission data packet independence on a quality or occupation of the communications channel. Inother words, the means 114 for transmitting data packets may beconfigured to adjust the hop pattern used to a quality or occupation ofthe communications channel.

In addition, the data transmitter (or data transceiver) 100_1 may beconfigured to emit, while using a further transmission data packet, thetransmission time of at least one of the transmission data packets or atleast a time gap between two of the transmission data packets. In otherwords, the data transmitter 100_1 may be configured to communicate itsown hop pattern to further data transmitters, like using a correspondingtransmission data packet with information on the hop pattern.

It is also possible for the data transmitter to be configured to, usinga further transmission data packet, predetermine for a further datatransmitter a transmission time when the further data transmitter emitsa transmission data packet, or a time gap between two transmission datapackets emitted by the further data transmitter. In other words, a datatransmitter (like a base station) may predetermine the hop pattern to beused for a further data transmitter.

Selecting the hop pattern to be used for emission may be selected asdesired. In order to obtain optimum performance, the hop pattern may beselected such that it provides improved performance for the expectedtransmission channel for transmission than any randomly selected one.For determining an improved hop pattern, the participant may resort toinformation, collected by the same or communicated to it externally, onthe present channel and from the past (like radio channel situation ofthe previous seconds, general channel situation in this environment,situation at the same time last week, etc.).

In connection with a way of communicating the hop pattern to be used toa further participant, channel estimation and pattern selection can beleft to a participant alone.

Telegram Splitting for Simultaneously Transmitting and Receiving, whileOmitting Transmission Data Packets (Sub-Packets) to be Emitted, whichCollide with Transmission Data Packets (Receive Sub-Packets) Needed

Emitting a sub-packet of a participant may overlap with receiving asub-packet from a further participant. While emitting the furthersub-packet, the receiver would be blind for receiving the sub-packet.

In order to nevertheless receive the sub-packet, emitting sub-packets isinterrupted. A decision on interrupting may, for example, be decided onusing information like channel attenuation to the receiver or the numberof sub-packets not emitted so far.

Exemplarily, the uplink transmission may be evaluated to be important,like a higher-priority hop pattern. The base station may interruptemitting the downlink message at corresponding receive times of theuplink of the sensor node and thus ensure receiving sensor nodetelegrams without significantly compromising its own downlink message.

Telegram Splitting in the Transmit or Receive Path, Wherein PrioritizedTelegrams can be Favored when Transmitting and Receiving

A participant may comprise a telegram to be transmitted or received ofhigh priority. All the overlapping sub-packets of further telegrams,both in the transmit and the receive direction, can be neglected infavor of said prioritized telegram.

Emissions overlapping with receiving a sub-packet of the prioritizedtelegram can be interrupted. Emitting or receiving a sub-packet of anon-prioritized telegram can be interrupted in the case of overlappingand instead the sub-packet of the prioritized telegram can betransmitted.

Telegram Splitting in the Transmit Path, Adjusting the TransmissionPower of the Telegram Splitting Method to Participant

The means for receiving data packets of the data transceiver 100_1 mayfurther be configured to receive a data packet from the first datareceiver and to determine a receive power, wherein the data transceiver100_1 may be configured to adjust a transmit power at which thetransmission data packets are transmitted to the first data receiver, independence on the receive power determined.

A participant (like A) may thus measure the field strength which thetelegrams arrive at from further participants. The transmit power ofone's own telegram to further participants may then be adjusted.

In order to load the radio channel to a minimum extent only, it ispossible to reduce the transmit power to a minimum. Thus, participantshaving been received at high power, will only be transmitted back to ata lower power, since the radio channel obviously is very good. When thepower at which a further participant has been received decreases, backtransmissions are performed at higher power. Additionally oralternatively, sub-packets may also be omitted since using errorcorrection may not entail receiving all the sub-packets.

When a large number of participants receive at the same transmit powerand simultaneous responding to several participants is done with asimilar hop pattern, by correspondingly adjusting the transmit power tothe individual participants, what can be achieved is that theparticipants are able to better differentiate between their telegramsand the telegrams emitted by others using the level. Thus,identifiability can be improved (or even maximized).

Exemplarily, a base station may transmit to several sensor nodes in atemporally overlapping manner, like to a first sensor node (A) and asecond sensor node (B), wherein transmissions from the first sensor node(A) will arrive at lower field strength and transmissions from thesecond sensor node (B) at higher field strength. The base station maythen transmit sub-packets to the first sensor node (A) at high power andsub-packets to the second sensor nodes (B) at low power. In the case ofoverlapping sub-packets, sub-packets can be emitted for the first sensornode (A). The second sensor node (B) is able to detect that a sub-packetwas not destined for the second sensor node (b) when the field strengthis higher than with further sub-packets.

Other

Apart from point-to-point communications, broadcast (BC) or multicast(MC) transmission from one participant to several (=MC) or all (=BC) theparticipants may take place simultaneously. This is why there may bespecial BC/MC hop patterns which are equal for all the participants, andindividual hop patterns for every participant. Depending on whichtelegrams are priority telegrams, when sub-packets overlap, individualsub-packet from either the BC/MC transmission or individual telegramsmay be omitted.

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart of a method 200 for transmitting data packetsin accordance with an embodiment. The method 200 comprises a step 202 ofgenerating at least two transmission data packets by splitting a firstdata packet destined for a first data receiver into the at least twotransmission data packets, wherein each of the transmission data packetsdestined for the first data receiver is shorter than the first datapacket; a step 204 of transmitting the at least two transmission datapackets destined for the first data receiver via a communicationschannel with a time gap; and a step 206 of transmitting a furthertransmission data packet to the first data receiver or a second datareceiver in a time gap between the at least two transmission datapackets destined for the first data receiver.

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart of a method 210 for transmitting data packetsin accordance with an embodiment. The method 210 comprises a step 212 ofgenerating at least three transmission data packets by splitting a firstdata packet destined for a first data receiver into the at least threetransmission data packets, wherein each of the at least threetransmission data packets is shorter than the first data packet,wherein, when generating the at least three transmission data packets,the at least three transmission data packets are channel-encoded suchthat only a portion of the transmission data packets is needed fordecoding the first data packet; a step 214 of transmitting the at leastthree transmission data packets in a frequency channel via acommunications channel with a time gap; and a step 216 of monitoring thefrequency channel in order to recognize an interference or transmissionof a further data transmitter in the frequency channel; wherein, whentransmitting the at least three transmission data packets, atransmission data packet, waiting for transmission, of the at leastthree transmission data packets is not transmitted, transmitted onlypartly or at a later time via the communications channel if aninterference or transmission from a further data transmitter isrecognized by the means for monitoring the frequency channel at the timeof transmitting the data packet.

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart of a method 220 for transmitting data packetsin accordance with an embodiment. The method 220 comprises a step 222 ofgenerating at least three transmission data packets by splitting a firstdata packet destined for a first data receiver into the at least threetransmission data packets, wherein each of the at least threetransmission data packets is shorter than the first data packet,wherein, when generating the at least three transmission data packets,the at least three transmission data packets are channel-encoded suchthat only a portion of the transmission data packets is needed fordecoding the first data packet; and a step 224 of transmitting the atleast three transmission data packets in a frequency channel via acommunications channel with a time gap; wherein, when transmitting theat least three transmission data packets, a transmission data packet,waiting for transmission, of the at least three transmission datapackets is not transmitted, transmitted only partly or at a later timeif a further transmission data packet is waiting for transmission at thetime of transmitting the one transmission data packet.

FIG. 19 shows a flowchart of a method 230 for receiving data packets inaccordance with an embodiment. The method 230 comprises a step 232 ofreceiving at least two transmission data packets from a first datatransmitter, wherein the at least two transmission data packets aretransmitted via a communications channel with a time gap and eachcontain part of a first data packet; a step 234 of combining the atleast two transmission data packets in order to obtain the first datapacket; and a step 236 of receiving at least one further data packet inthe time gap between the at least two transmission data packets from thefirst data transmitter or a second data transmitter.

In accordance with a first aspect, a data transmitter 100_1 comprises:means 112 for generating transmission data packets, configured to splita first data packet 104 destined for a first data receiver 102_1 into atleast two transmission data packets 104_1-104_n, wherein each of thetransmission data packets 104_1-104_n destined for the first datareceiver 102_1 is shorter than the first data packet 104; means 114 fortransmitting data packets, configured to transmit the at least twotransmission data packets 104_1-104_n destined for the first datareceiver 102_1 via a communications channel with a time gap 116; whereinthe means 114 for transmitting data packets is configured to transmit atleast one further transmission data packet 124 to the first datareceiver 102_1 or a second data receiver 102_2 in the time gap 116between the at least two transmission data packets 104_1-104_n destinedfor the first data receiver 102_1.

In accordance with a second aspect when referring back to the firstaspect, the means 112 for generating transmission data packets isconfigured to split a second data packet 106 destined for the seconddata receiver 102_2 into at least two transmission data packets106_1-106_n, wherein each of the transmission data packets 106_1-106_mdestined for the second data receiver 102_2 is shorter than the seconddata packet 106; wherein the means 114 for transmitting data packets isconfigured to transmit the at least two transmission data packets106_1-106_m destined for the second data receiver 102_2 via thecommunications channel with a time gap; and wherein one of the at leasttwo transmission data packets 106_1-106_m destined for the second datareceiver 102_2 is the further transmission data packet 124.

In accordance with a third aspect when referring back to the secondaspect, the means 114 for transmitting data packets is configured totransmit the at least two transmission data packets 104_1-104_n destinedfor the first data receiver 100_1 and the at least two transmission datapackets 106_1-106_m destined for the second data receiver 102_2alternatingly in the time gap between the transmission data packetsdestined for the respective other data receiver.

In accordance with a fourth aspect when referring back to at least oneof the first to third aspects, the at least two transmission datapackets 104_1-104_n are at least three transmission data packets104_1-104_n, wherein the means 112 for generating transmission datapackets is configured to channel-encode the at least three transmissiondata packets 104_1-104_n such that only a portion of the transmissiondata packets 104_1-104_n is needed for decoding the first data packet104.

In accordance with a fifth aspect, a data transmitter 100_1 comprises:means 112 for generating transmission data packets, configured to splita first data packet 104 into at least three transmission data packets104_1-104_n, wherein each of the at least three transmission datapackets 104_1 to 104_n is shorter than the first data packet 104, themeans 112 for generating data packets being configured to channel-encodethe at least three transmission data packets 104_1-104_n such that onlya portion of the transmission data packets 104_1-104_n is needed fordecoding the first data packet 104; means 114 for transmitting datapackets, configured to transmit the at least three transmission datapackets 104_1-104_n in a frequency channel via a communications channelwith a time gap 116; means 118 for monitoring the frequency channel,configured to recognize an interference 120 or transmission 122 of afurther data transmitter 100_2 in the frequency channel; the means 114for transmitting data packets being configured not to transmit, transmitonly partly or at a later time a transmission data package, waiting fortransmission, of the at least three transmission data packets104_1-104_n via the communications channel if an interference 120 ortransmission 122 from a further data transmitter 100_2 is recognized bythe means 118 for monitoring the frequency channel at the time oftransmitting the transmission data packet.

In accordance with a sixth aspect when referring back to the fifthaspect, the means 118 for monitoring the frequency channel is configuredto perform power detection in the frequency channel in order torecognize the interference 120 or transmission 122 of the further datatransmitter 100_2 in the frequency channel.

In accordance with a seventh aspect when referring back to at least oneof the fifth to sixth aspects, the means 118 for monitoring thefrequency channel is configured to predict the interference 120 ortransmission 122 of the further data transmitter 100_2 in the frequencychannel based on a previous interference or previous transmission of afurther data transmitter; or the means 118 for monitoring the frequencychannel is configured to predict the interference 120 or transmission122 of the further data transmitter 100_2 in the frequency channel basedon an interference or transmission of a further data transmitter in afrequency channel adjacent to the frequency channel.

In accordance with an eighth aspect when referring back to at least oneof the fifth to seventh aspects, the means 114 for transmitting datapackets is configured to adjust the time gap 116 between thetransmission data packets 104_1-104_n in dependence on the interference120 recognized or transmission 122 of the further data transmitter100_2.

In accordance with a ninth aspect when referring back to at least one ofthe fifth to eight aspects, the means 114 for transmitting data packetsis configured to transmit a further transmission data packet 124 to thefirst data receiver or a second data receiver in the time gap 116between the at least two transmission data packets 104_1-104_n destinedfor the first data receiver 102_1.

In accordance with a tenth aspect, the data transmitter 100_1 comprises:means 112 for generating transmission data packets, configured to splita first data packet 104 into at least three transmission data packets104_1-104_n, wherein each of the at least three transmission datapackets 104_1-104_n is shorter than the first data packet 104, the means112 for generating data packets being configured to channel-encode theat least three transmission data packets 104_1-104_n such that only aportion of the transmission data packets 104_1-104_n is needed fordecoding the first data packet 104; means 114 for transmitting datapackets, configured to transmit the at least three transmission datapackets 104_1-104_n via a communications channel with a time gap 116;the means 114 for transmitting data packets being configured not totransmit, transmit only partly or at a later time a transmission datapacket, waiting for transmission, of the at least three transmissiondata packets 104_1-104_n.

In accordance with an eleventh aspect when referring back to the tenthaspect, the means 114 for transmitting data packets is configured not totransmit, transmit only partly or at a later time a transmission datapacket, waiting for transmission, of the at least three transmissiondata packets 104_1-104_n if a further transmission data packet 124 iswaiting for transmission at the time of transmitting the onetransmission data packet.

In accordance with a twelfth aspect when referring back to the eleventhaspect, the means 114 for transmitting data packets is configured totransmit the further transmission data packet 124 via the communicationschannel.

In accordance with a thirteenth aspect when referring back to at leastone of the eleventh to twelfth aspects, the at least three transmissiondata packets 104_1-104_n are destined for a first data receiver 102_1;wherein the means 112 for generating transmission data packets isconfigured to split a second data packet 106 destined for a second datareceiver 102_2 into at least three transmission data packets106_1-106_m, wherein each of the transmission data packets 106_1-106_mdestined for the second data receiver 102_2 is shorter than the seconddata packet 106; wherein the means 112 for generating data packets isconfigured to channel-encode the at least three transmission datapackets 106_1-106_m destined for the second data receiver 102_2 suchthat only a portion of the transmission data packets is needed fordecoding the second data packet 106; wherein the means 114 fortransmitting data packets is configured to transmit the at least threetransmission data packets 106_1-106_m destined for the second datareceiver 102_2 via the communications channel with a time gap; andwherein one of the transmission data packets 106_1-106_m destined forthe second data receiver 102_2 is the further transmission data packet.

In accordance with a fourteenth aspect when referring back to theeleventh aspect, the further transmission data packet 124 is transmittedby a further data transmitter 100_2.

In accordance with a fifteenth aspect when referring back to thefourteenth aspect, the data transmitter knows the time of transmittingthe further transmission data packet 124 by the further data transmitter100_2.

In accordance with a sixteenth aspect when referring back to at leastone of the eleventh to fifteenth aspects, the means 114 for transmittingdata packets is configured not to transmit, transmit only partly or at alater time a transmission data packet, waiting for transmission, of theat least three transmission data packets 104_1-104_n if there is afurther transmission data packet 124 waiting for transmission at thetime of transmitting the one transmission data packet and the furthertransmission data packet 124 fulfills a transmission criterion.

In accordance with a seventeenth aspect when referring back to thesixteenth aspect, the transmission criterion indicates that the furthertransmission data packet comprises higher a transmission priority thanthe transmission data packet, waiting for transmission, of the at leastthree transmission data packets 104_1-104_n.

In accordance with an eighteenth aspect when referring back to thesixteenth aspect, the transmission criterion indicates that in thetransmission of the further transmission data packet 124, decoding thefirst data packet 104 by a data receiver 102_1, 102_2 based on thefurther transmission data packets of the at least three transmissiondata packets 104_1-104_n is nevertheless possible with a probability ofat least 90%.

In accordance with a nineteenth aspect when referring back to theeighteenth aspect, a channel quality is considered when determining theprobability.

In accordance with a twentieth aspect when referring back to at leastone of the eighteenth to nineteenth aspects, when determining theprobability, a number of transmission data packets, not emitted before,of the at least three transmission data packets 104_1-104_n isconsidered.

In accordance with a twenty-first aspect when referring back to thesixteenth aspect, the transmission criterion indicates that thetransmission data packet waiting for transmission and the furthertransmission data packet 124 are transmitted in the same frequencychannel.

In accordance with a twenty-second aspect when referring back to thefourteenth and sixteenth aspects, the data transmitter is a datatransceiver, wherein the transmission criterion indicates that receivingthe further transmission data packet 124 by the data transceiver 100_1is needed.

In accordance with a twenty-third aspect when referring back to at leastone of the tenth to twenty-second aspects, the means 114 fortransmitting data packets is configured not to transmit, transmit onlypartly or at a later time a transmission data package, waiting fortransmission, of the at least three transmission data packets104_1-104_n in dependence on external factors.

In accordance with a twenty-fourth aspect when referring back to atleast one of the first to twenty-third aspects, the means 114 fortransmitting data packets is configured to transmit a first transmissiondata packet destined for the first data receiver 102_1 in a firstfrequency channel and to transmit a second transmission data packetdestined for the second data receiver 102_2 in a second frequencychannel.

In accordance with a twenty-fifth aspect when referring back to at leastone of the first to twenty-fourth aspects, the means 114 fortransmitting data packets is configured to distribute the transmissionpackets 104_1-104_n over at least two frequency channels.

In accordance with a twenty-sixth aspect when referring back to at leastone of the first to twenty-fifth aspects, the data transmitter 100_1 isa data transceiver and further comprises: means 138 for receiving datapackets, configured to receive a transmission data packet 140 from afurther data transmitter 100_2 in the time gap 116 between thetransmission data packets destined for the first data receiver 102_2.

In accordance with a twenty-seventh aspect when referring back to thetwenty-sixth aspect, the means 138 for receiving data packets isconfigured to receive at least one of at least two transmission datapackets 108_1-108 b transmitted by the further data transmitter 100_2 inthe time gap 116 between the transmission data packets 104_1-104_ndestined for the first data receiver 102_1, wherein the at least twotransmission data packets 108_1-108_b are transmitted by the furtherdata transmitter 100_2 via the communications channel with a time gapand each contain part of a further data packet 108, wherein the means138 for receiving data packets is configured to combine the at least twotransmission data packets 108_1-108_b in order to obtain the furtherdata packet 108; wherein one of the at least two transmission datapackets 108_1-108_b from the further data transmitter 100_2 is thetransmission data packet 140 from the further data transmitter.

In accordance with a twenty-eighth aspect when referring back to atleast one of the first to twenty-seventh aspects, the data transmitter100_1 is configured to emit the transmission time of at least one of thetransmission data packets or at least a time gap between two of thetransmission data packets using a further transmission data packet.

In accordance with a twenty-ninth aspect when referring back to at leastone of the first to twenty-eighth aspects, the data transmitter 100_1 isconfigured to predetermine, using a further transmission data packet, toa further data transmitter a transmission time when the further datatransmitter emits a transmission data packet, or a time gap between twoof the transmission data packets emitted by the further datatransmitter.

In accordance with a thirtieth aspect when referring back to at leastone of the first to twenty-ninth aspects, the means 114 for transmittingdata packets is configured to adjust the time gap between thetransmission data packets or non-emitting a transmission data packet independence on a quality or occupation of the communications channel.

In accordance with a thirty-first aspect when referring back to at leastone of the first to thirtieth aspects, the data transmitter is a datatransceiver further comprising: means 138 for receiving data packets,configured to receive a data packet from the first data receiver 102_1and to determine a receive power or receive quality; wherein the datatransmitter 100_1 is configured to adjust a transmit power at which thetransmission data packets 104_1-104_n are transmitted to the first datareceiver 102_1, in dependence on the determined receive power or receivequality.

In accordance with a thirty-second aspect when referring back to atleast one of the fifth to thirty-first aspects, the means 114 fortransmitting data packets is configured to partly transmit, when afurther transmission data packet 124 is waiting for transmission at thetime of transmitting the one transmission data packet, the transmissiondata packet, waiting for transmission, of the at least threetransmission data packets 104_1-104_n such that emitted parts of the onetransmission data packet result in constructive superpositioning withthe further transmission data packet 124.

In accordance with a thirty-third aspect, the data receiver 102_1comprises: means 134 for receiving data packets, configured to receiveat least two transmission data packets 104_1-104_n from a first datatransmitter 100_1, which are transmitted via a communications channelwith a time gap 116 and each contain part of a first data packet 104,the means 134 for receiving data packets being configured to combine theat least two transmission data packets 104_1-104_n in order to obtainthe first data packet 104; the means 134 for receiving data packetsbeing configured to receive at least one further data packet 124 fromthe first data transmitter 100_1 or a second data transmitter 100_2 inthe time gap 116 between the at least two transmission data packets104_1-104_n.

In accordance with a thirty-fourth aspect when referring back to thethirty-third aspect, the means 138 for receiving data packets isconfigured to receive at least two transmission data packets 106_1-106_mfrom a second data transmitter 100_2, which are transmitted via acommunications channel with a time gap and each contain part of a seconddata packet 106, wherein the means 134 for receiving data packets isconfigured to combine the at least two transmission data packets106_1-106_m in order to obtain the second data packet 106; wherein atleast one of the at least two transmission data packets 106_1-106_m fromthe second data transmitter 100_2 is the at least one furthertransmission data packet 124.

In accordance with a thirty-fifth aspect when referring back to thethirty-fourth aspect, the means 134 for receiving data packets isconfigured to receive at least two transmission data packets 104_1-104_nfrom the first data transmitter 100_1 and the at least two data packets106_1-106_m from the second data transmitter 100_2 alternatingly in thetime gap between the transmission data packets from the respective otherdata transmitter.

In accordance with a thirty-sixth aspect when referring back to at leastone of the thirty-third to thirty-fifth aspects, the at least twotransmission data packets 104_1-104_n are at least three transmissiondata packets, wherein the at least three transmission data packets104_1-104_n are channel-encoded such that only a portion of the at leastthree transmission data packets 104_1-104_n is needed for decoding;wherein the means 138 for receiving data packets is configured toreceive, to combine and to decode at least two of the at least threetransmission data packets 104_1-104_n in order to obtain the first datapacket 104.

In accordance with a thirty-seventh aspect, a system 128 comprises: atleast one data transmitter 100_1 in accordance with any of the first tothirty-first aspects; and at least one data receiver 102_1 in accordancewith any of the third-second to thirty-fifth aspects.

In accordance with a thirty-eight aspect, a method comprises the stepsof: generating at least two transmission data packets by splitting afirst data packet destined for a first data receiver into the at leasttwo transmission data packets, wherein each of the transmission datapackets destined for the first data receiver is shorter than the firstdata packet; transmitting the at least two transmission data packetsdestined for the first data receiver via a communications channel with atime gap; transmitting a further transmission data packet to the firstdata receiver or a second data receiver in the time gap between the atleast two transmission data packets destined for the first datareceiver.

In accordance with a thirty-ninth aspect, a method comprises the stepsof: generating at least three transmission data packets by splitting afirst data packet destined for a first data receiver into the at leastthree transmission data packets, wherein each of the at least threetransmission data packets is shorter than the first data packet,wherein, when generating the at least three transmission data packets,the at least three transmission data packets are channel-encoded suchthat only a portion of the transmission data packets is needed fordecoding the first data packet; transmitting the at least threetransmission data packets in a frequency channel via a communicationschannel with a time gap; monitoring the frequency channel in order torecognize an interference or transmission of a further data transmitterin the frequency channel, wherein, when transmitting the at least threetransmission data packets, a transmission data packet, waiting fortransmission, of the at least three transmission data packets is nottransmitted, transmitted only party or at a later time via thecommunications channel if an interference or transmission from a furtherdata transmitter is recognized by the means for monitoring the frequencychannel at the time of transmitting the data packet.

In accordance with a fortieth aspect, a method comprises the steps of:generating at least three transmission data packets by splitting a firstdata packet destined for a first data receiver into the at least threetransmission data packets, wherein each of the at least threetransmission data packets is shorter than the first data packet,wherein, when generating the at least three transmission data packets,the at least three transmission data packets are channel-encoded suchthat only a portion of the transmission data packets is needed fordecoding the first data packet; transmitting the at least threetransmission data packets in a frequency channel via a communicationschannel with a time gap; wherein, when transmitting the at least threetransmission data packets, a transmission data packet, waiting fortransmission, of the at least three transmission data packets is nottransmitted, transmitted only party or at a later time if a furthertransmission data packet is waiting for transmission at the time oftransmitting the one transmission data packet.

In accordance with a forty-first aspect, a method comprises the stepsof: receiving at least two transmission data packets from a first datatransmitter, wherein the at least two transmission data packets aretransmitted via a communications channel with a time gap and eachcontain part of a first data packet; combining the at least twotransmission data packets in order to obtain the first data packet; andreceiving at least one further data packet in the time gap between theat least two transmission data packets from the first data transmitteror a second data transmitter.

A forty-second aspect comprises a computer program for performing amethod in accordance with any of the thirty-eighth to forty-firstaspects.

Although some aspects have been described in the context of a device, itis clear that these aspects also represent a description of thecorresponding method, such that a block or element of a device alsocorresponds to a respective method step or feature of a method step.Analogously, aspects described in the context with or as a method stepalso represent a description of a corresponding block or item or featureof a corresponding device. Some or all of the method steps may beexecuted by (or using) a hardware apparatus, like, for example, amicroprocessor, a programmable computer or an electronic circuit. Insome embodiments, some or several of the most important method steps maybe executed by such an apparatus.

Depending on certain implementation requirements, embodiments of theinvention may be implemented in hardware or in software. Theimplementation can be performed using a digital storage medium, forexample a floppy disk, a DVD, a Blu-Ray disc, a CD, an ROM, a PROM, anEPROM, an EEPROM or a FLASH memory, a hard drive or another magnetic oroptical memory having electronically readable control signals storedthereon, which cooperate or are capable of cooperating with aprogrammable computer system such that the respective method isperformed. Therefore, the digital storage medium may becomputer-readable.

Some embodiments according to the invention include a data carriercomprising electronically readable control signals, which are capable ofcooperating with a programmable computer system such that one of themethods described herein is performed.

Generally, embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as acomputer program product with a program code, the program code beingoperative for performing one of the methods when the computer programproduct runs on a computer.

The program code may, for example, be stored on a machine-readablecarrier.

Other embodiments comprise the computer program for performing one ofthe methods described herein, wherein the computer program is stored ona machine-readable carrier.

In other words, an embodiment of the inventive method is, therefore, acomputer program comprising program code for performing one of themethods described herein, when the computer program runs on a computer.

A further embodiment of the inventive methods is, therefore, a datacarrier (or a digital storage medium or a computer-readable medium)comprising, recorded thereon, the computer program for performing one ofthe methods described herein. The data carrier, the digital storagemedium or the computer-readable medium are typically tangible and/ornon-transitory and/or non-temporary.

A further embodiment of the inventive method is, therefore, a datastream or a sequence of signals representing the computer program forperforming one of the methods described herein. The data stream or thesequence of signals may, for example, be configured to be transferredvia a data communications connection, for example via the Internet.

A further embodiment comprises processing means, for example a computer,or a programmable logic device, configured or adapted to perform one ofthe methods described herein.

A further embodiment comprises a computer having installed thereon thecomputer program for performing one of the methods described herein.

A further embodiment according to the invention comprises a device or asystem configured to transfer a computer program for performing at leastone of the methods described herein to a receiver. The transmission canbe performed electronically or optically. The receiver may, for example,be a computer, a mobile device, a memory device or the like. The deviceor system may, for example, comprise a file server for transferring thecomputer program to the receiver.

In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (for example afield-programmable gate array, FPGA) may be used to perform some or allof the functionalities of the methods described herein. In someembodiments, a field-programmable gate array may cooperate with amicroprocessor in order to perform one of the methods described herein.Generally, in some embodiments, the methods may be performed by anyhardware device. This may be a universally applicable hardware, such asa computer processor (CPU), or hardware specific for the method, such asASIC.

The devices described herein may exemplarily be implemented using ahardware apparatus or using a computer or using a combination of ahardware apparatus and a computer.

The devices described herein, or any components of the devices describedherein, may be implemented at least partly in hardware and/or insoftware (computer program).

The methods described herein may exemplarily be implemented using ahardware apparatus or using a computer or using a combination of ahardware apparatus and a computer.

The methods described herein, or any component of the methods describedherein, may be executed at least partly by hardware and/or by software.

While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments,there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents which will beapparent to others skilled in the art and which fall within the scope ofthis invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternativeways of implementing the methods and compositions of the presentinvention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claimsbe interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, andequivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A data transmitter of a wireless sensornetwork, the data transmitter comprising: a generator for generatingtransmission data packets, configured to split a first data packet intoat least three transmission data packets, wherein each of the at leastthree transmission data packets is shorter than the first data packet,the generator for generating data packets being configured tochannel-encode the at least three transmission data packets such thatonly a portion of the transmission data packets is required for decodingthe first data packet; a transmission element for transmitting datapackets, configured to transmit the at least three transmission datapackets in a frequency channel via a communications channel with a timegap; a monitor element for monitoring the frequency channel, configuredto recognize an interference or transmission of a further datatransmitter in the frequency channel; wherein the transmission elementfor transmitting data packets is configured not to transmit, transmitonly partly or at a later time via the communications channel atransmission data packet, waiting for transmission, of the at leastthree transmission data packets if an interference or transmission froma further data transmitter is recognized by the monitor element formonitoring the frequency channel at the time of transmitting thetransmission data packet, wherein the wireless sensor network comprisesa base station and a plurality of sensor nodes, wherein the transmitteris the base station or one of the plurality of sensor nodes.
 2. The datatransmitter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the monitor element formonitoring the frequency channel is configured to perform powerdetection in the frequency channel in order to recognize theinterference or transmission of the further data transmitter in thefrequency channel.
 3. The data transmitter in accordance with claim 1,wherein the monitor element for monitoring the frequency channel isconfigured to predict the interference or transmission of the furtherdata transmitter in the frequency channel based on a previousinterference or previous transmission of the further data transmitter;or wherein the monitor element for monitoring the frequency channel isconfigured to predict the interference or transmission of the furtherdata transmitter in the frequency channel based on the interference ortransmission of the further data transmitter in a frequency channeladjacent to the frequency channel.
 4. The data transmitter in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the transmission element for transmitting datapackets is configured to adjust the time gap between the transmissiondata packets in dependence on the recognized interference ortransmission of the further data transmitter.
 5. The data transmitter inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the transmission element fortransmitting data packets is configured to transmit a first transmissiondata packet destined for the first data receiver in a first frequencychannel and to transmit a second transmission data packet destined forthe second data receiver in a second frequency channel.
 6. The datatransmitter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the transmission elementfor transmitting data packets is configured to distribute thetransmission packets over at least two frequency channels.
 7. The datatransmitter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the data transmitter isconfigured to emit, using a further transmission data packet, thetransmission time of at least one of the transmission data packets or atleast a time gap between two of the transmission data packets.
 8. Thedata transmitter in accordance with claim 1, the data transmitter beingconfigured to predetermine, using a further transmission data packet, toa further data transmitter a transmission time when the further datatransmitter emits a transmission data packet or a time gap between twotransmission data packets emitted by the further data transmitter. 9.The data transmitter in accordance with claim 1, wherein thetransmission element for transmitting data packets is configured toadjust the time gap between the transmission data packets ornon-transmitting a transmission data packet in dependence on a qualityor occupation of the communications channel.
 10. The data transmitter inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the data transmitter is a datatransceiver further comprising: a receive element for receiving datapackets, configured to receive a data packet from the first datareceiver and to determine a receive power or receive quality; whereinthe data transmitter is configured to adjust a transmit power with whichthe transmission data packets are transmitted to the first data receiverin dependence on the determined receive power or receive quality.
 11. Asystem comprising: at least one data transmitter in accordance withclaim 1; and at least one data receiver, the data receiver comprising: areceive element for receiving data packets, configured to receive atleast three transmission data packets from a first data transmitter,which are transmitted via a communications channel with a time gap andeach comprise part of a first data packet, the receive element forreceiving data packets being configured to combine the at least threetransmission data packets in order to acquire the first data packet;wherein the at least three transmission data packets are channel-encodedsuch that only a portion of the at least three transmission data packetsis required for decoding; wherein the receive element for receiving datapackets is configured to receive, combine and decode at least two of theat least three transmission data packets in order to acquire the firstdata packet.
 12. A method for operating a transmitter of a wirelesssensor network, wherein the wireless sensor network comprises a basestation and a plurality of sensor nodes, wherein the transmitter is thebase station or one of the plurality of sensor nodes, wherein the methodcomprises: generating at least three transmission data packets bysplitting a first data packet destined for a first data receiver intothe at least three transmission data packets, wherein each of the atleast three transmission data packets is shorter than the first datapackets, wherein, when generating the at least three transmission datapackets, the at least three transmission data packets arechannel-encoded such that only a portion of the transmission datapackets is required for decoding the first data packet; transmitting theat least three transmission data packets in a frequency channel via acommunications channel with a time gap; monitoring the frequency channelin order to recognize an interference or transmission of a further datatransmitter in the frequency channel; wherein the transmission elementfor transmitting data packets is configured not to transmit, transmitonly partly or at a later time via the communications channel atransmission data packet, waiting for transmission, of the at leastthree transmission data packets if an interference or transmission froma further data transmitter is recognized by the monitor element formonitoring the frequency channel at the time of transmitting thetransmission data packet; wherein, when transmitting the at least threetransmission data packets, a transmission data packet, waiting fortransmission, of the at least three transmission data packets is nottransmitted, transmitted only partly or at a later time if aninterference or transmission from a further data transmitter isrecognized by monitoring the frequency channel at the time oftransmitting the transmission data packet.
 13. A non-transitory digitalstorage medium having stored thereon a computer program for performing amethod for operating a transmitter of a wireless sensor network, whereinwireless sensor network comprises a base station and a plurality ofsensor nodes, wherein the transmitter is the base station or one of theplurality of sensor nodes, wherein the method comprises: generating atleast three transmission data packets by splitting a first data packetdestined for a first data receiver into the at least three transmissiondata packets, wherein each of the at least three transmission datapackets is shorter than the first data packets, wherein, when generatingthe at least three transmission data packets, the at least threetransmission data packets are channel-encoded such that only a portionof the transmission data packets is required for decoding the first datapacket; transmitting the at least three transmission data packets in afrequency channel via a communications channel with a time gap;monitoring the frequency channel in order to recognize an interferenceor transmission of a further data transmitter in the frequency channel;wherein the transmission element for transmitting data packets isconfigured not to transmit, transmit only partly or at a later time viathe communications channel a transmission data packet, waiting fortransmission, of the at least three transmission data packets if aninterference or transmission from a further data transmitter isrecognized by the monitor element for monitoring the frequency channelat the time of transmitting the transmission data packet; wherein, whentransmitting the at least three transmission data packets, atransmission data packet, waiting for transmission, of the at leastthree transmission data packets is not transmitted, transmitted onlypartly or at a later time if an interference or transmission from afurther data transmitter is recognized by monitoring the frequencychannel at the time of transmitting the transmission data packet, whensaid computer program is run by a computer.